RIP, Phil Lobred

Kohai999

Kohai999

Second Degree Cutter
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
12,554
Crushed, just crushed.

Not many outlets to ease the pain, so it sort of has to be here.

My great friend Phil Lobred passed away at roughly 9:00 am this morning of a sudden apparent heart attack.

Will post more news(services, condolences....) as decisions are made. Those of you who have his phone number, please give Judy some space over the next few days.

Thank you....he loved this community.

Steven Garsson
 
I let out an audible "Ugghhhhhh" when I read this title. So unfortunate.

Steven I know you were very close. I feel bad for the loss. Phil treated me with the same regard he treated everyone: I was made to feel special.

Phil Lobred, for those who aren't aware, was one of the most influential patrons of Handmade Custom knives. He originated and was the promoter of the Art Knife Invitational, which is held every two years including a select group of 25 of the finest makers on the planet. (First one began in the eighties).

His personal collection is astounding. Historical recreations and actual historical knives. (He commissioned the renowned 'King Tut' dagger from Buster Warenski).

We would have a MUCH different community here if it wasn't for him. Serious.

Hard to hear.

Coop
 
Steven, I am aware of how close you and Phil were so I know this is a huge blow. You have my thoughts and prayers.

I have only been involved in the knife community for about 20 years, but I quickly learned about Phil. Over the years I watched and learned about how one man with a passion can have an effect. I was fortunate to meet Phil at the AKI in 2015 and quickly felt like I had know this warm and giving man for years.

We have all lost a man who loved our community.

Kevin
 
I'm sorry to hear this STeven. Our condolences to his family and those who were close to him.
 
My sincerest condolences STeven and to all of Phil's loved ones, family, and friends....God Bless. [emoji17]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Very sorry to hear the news. My prayers go out to Mr. Lobred's family and friends.
 
I hate to hear that. I liked Phil, he was a good man. We had been visiting back and forth on emails lately.
Sure hate to hear that and he surely did do a lot for a lot of makers.
 
Sorry to hear this. I never met him, but I know he was a big force in the custom knife world. We makers wouldn't get very far without customers and especially collectors to buy our work.

That King Tut dagger is an extremely impressive piece of work.
 
If I saw Phil at a show, he would pull me aside and the conversation about Warenskis would start in earnest. I couldn't help through the years feel for his own special physical suffering, even though his heart, mind and soul were always smiling with knives. Great man, Phil. I will miss visiting with him.

My condolences go out to his family and my love goes out to Phil.

Bob Betzner
 
I never had the pleasure of meeting Phil, even though I think I own a knife that was once in his collection. To me, knowing what he has done and contributed to the community makes him legendary. My condolences to you Steven, his family and anyone here who knew him.
 
Sorry to hear about this STeven. Phil was a special person for the whole knife and particularly the art knife community and was always great to chat with. All of our best to you and his family and friends.
 
Steven my deepest condolences to you and of course to all of Phil's family and friends.

I was lucky enough to have met Phil in my youth at the 1987 Guild Show in Dallas. He was a warm, friendly man and an icon in our small world.

His influence and guidance will be dearly missed.
 
Sail on, Phil Lobred, sail on ⛵️
Most definitely one of the good guys, not just in our world - in THE world. He was 72. Phil was 33 in 1979 when he arrived in San Diego with his wife Judy, having sailed from his home in Anchorage, AK on his 50 foot trimaran named "Kashim" (per the San Diego Tribune). He took what he thought would be a temporary job as a carpenter for H&M Landing/Sportfishing and ultimately went on to become a part-owner and leader of the enterprise. Along the way he developed a burning passion for these crazy custom knives we all love and he became friends with many top makers and collectors. Phil's leadership and organizational skills were evident in his creation of the Art Knife Invitational show, a highly respected and eagerly attended every-other-year gathering. This is Phil last year (San Diego Tribune by Peggy Peatie) - tap to enlarge:
IMG_0250.jpg
 
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